Pruning trees to remove twigs and small branches is a task that most homeowners are happy to take on themselves, but removing large branches or significant foliage is a job best left to professionals. Trimming mistakes can seriously damage trees, and this is especially true when the errors are made in the fall. Here are some fall tree trimming pitfalls to avoid.
Not Understanding a Tree’s Annual Cycle
Some homeowners think the fall is the perfect time to trim deciduous trees because there are fewer leaves to get in the way. This may make trimming easier, but it can be very bad for trees. Light pruning can be done at this time, but major trimming should be delayed until a deciduous tree has lost all of its leaves and is dormant. If a tree is trimmed before it enters dormancy, the new growth it produces will still be soft and vulnerable when winter sets in.
Over Trimming
Removing too much foliage during a single trimming stresses a tree and can weaken its structure. Overzealous trimming removes the leaves that a tree relies upon to provide nourishment through photosynthesis, and a tree needs all of the nutrients it can get just before it enters dormancy. When trees are trimmed excessively in the fall, they are more likely to produce weak sprouts when they exit dormancy. No more than 25% of their foliage should be removed.
Topping
Another common fall tree-trimming mistake is cutting a large section off the top of a tree to make it shorter. Property owners do this because they worry about tall trees falling onto their homes in a winter storm. Arborists call this topping, and it weakens trees and makes them unstable. Trees respond to topping by growing new limbs quickly. These new limbs are usually unsightly, and they are rarely strong enough to withstand storms. The exposed wood that topping leaves behind also provides insects with an easy entry point.
Flush Cutting
Flush cutting is trimming a tree branch too close to the trunk. Doing this creates a larger wound and removes the swollen area at the base of a branch. This swollen area is important because it releases sealing tissue that helps to heal the wound, and a larger wound that doesn’t heal properly makes a tree vulnerable to decay. Leaving a branch stub that is too long can also cause problems, so branches must be removed with great care.
Trimming trees before they have entered dormancy, removing too much foliage and trimming branches too close to the trunk are mistakes that can cast long shadows over your property. The best way to avoid these mistakes and keep your yard or garden beautiful and healthy is to turn to experienced professionals when trees are overgrown and major trimming is required. If you need tree trimming services in Lafayette, IN, and want to avoid common pitfalls, call the experienced professionals at Lafayette Huesca Tree Services today.
